The Iron Hills were perhaps a part or a remnant of the mountain chain that formed the [[Iron Mountains]] of the [[First Age]].<ref>[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' p. 78</ref>

The Iron Hills were perhaps a part or a remnant of the mountain chain that formed the [[Iron Mountains]] of the [[First Age]].<ref>[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' p. 78</ref>

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The Hills were mined for thousands of years by the Dwarves, being their main supply of iron.<ref name="Third">{{PM|Third}}</ref> The [[Dwarf-road of Mirkwood]] ran northeast to the Hills for the Dwarf-traders that went to and from [[Khazad-dûm]] and the Hills.<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>

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The Hills were mined for thousands of years by the Longbeards, being their primary source for iron above all the rest of their territories.<ref name="Third">{{PM|Third}}</ref> The [[Dwarf-road of Mirkwood]] ran northeast to the Hills for the Dwarf-traders that went to and from [[Khazad-dûm]] and the Hills.<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>

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===Third Age===

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In {{TA|1981}} the last of the Dwarves living in Khazad-dûm fled from the [[Balrog]] who had slain [[Durin VI]] and [[Náin I]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> Some of those who escaped wandered as far as the Iron Hills and settled there.<ref name="Third"/>

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In {{TA|1981}} the last of the dwarves living in [[Moria]] fled from the [[Balrog]] who had slain [[Durin VI]] and [[Náin I]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> Some of the escaping dwarves wandered as far as the Iron Hills and settled there.<ref name="Third"/>

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In {{TA|2570}} Dragons began [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons|afflicting the Dwarves in north]] and in {{TA|2589}} [[Dáin I]] was slain by a cold drake outside [[Dáin's halls|his halls]] in the [[Grey Mountains]].<ref name="TA"/> Due to these deprivations, in {{TA|2590}} [[Grór]] left the Grey Mountains and established a realm in the Iron Hills.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>

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In {{TA|2570}} Dragons began afflicting the dwarves in the north and in {{TA|2589}} [[Dáin I]] was slain by a dragon in the Grey Mountains.<ref name="TA"/> Due to these deprivations, in {{TA|2590}} [[Grór]] left the [[Grey Mountains]] and established a realm in the Iron Hills.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> Over hundreds of years it became a great realm, especially after the destruction of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] in {{TA|2770}}.<ref name="TA"/>

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Over the next few centuries Grór and his people built great realm, especially after the [[Sack of Erebor|destruction]] of [[Erebor]] in {{TA|2770}}<ref name="TA"/> when the Dragon [[Smaug]] scattered the Longbeards who dwelt there. Most of the survivors subsequently went to their kinsmen in the Iron Hills, swelling its numbers.

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Before the death of [[Smaug]] in {{TA|2941}},<ref name="TA"/> the Dwarven realm in the Iron Hills was the main dwelling place of [[Durin's folk]] in the East, and military the strongest realm in [[Wilderland]].

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During the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] ({{TA|2799}})<ref name="TA"/> the dwarves of the Iron Hills, led by [[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]] and coming late and fresh to the fray, turned the day. Náin was slain by [[Azog]] in one-on-one combat. Náin's son, [[Dáin Ironfoot]], then avenged his father by slaying Azog. After this battle Dáin Ironfoot led the Iron Hills dwarves home where he became their leader.<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

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In [[Third Age 2799|2799]]<ref name="TA"/> the final battle of the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]] [[Battle of Azanulbizar|occurred in the Dimrill Dale]]. The battle was turning into a massive stalemate until fresh reinforcements from the Iron Hills arrived led by [[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]].

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They cut their way through the ranks of Orcs all the way to the [[East-gate]] of Moria, where tragically Náin was slain by [[Azog]] in single combat. His son, the young [[Dáin Ironfoot]], however avenged his father by slaying the Orc chieftain, and winning for himself great renown.

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With the war over, Dáin led his people home where, after the death of Grór, became the new [[Lord of the Iron Hills]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

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Before the death of [[Smaug]] in {{TA|2941}},<ref name="TA"/> the dwarves' realm in the Iron Hills was the main dwelling of [[Durin's folk]] in the East, and also the strongest realm militarily in [[Wilderland]]. After Smaug's death Dáin Ironfoot became [[King under the Mountain]] and [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin’s Folk]] as Dáin II;<ref name="TA"/><ref name="Durin"/> how many dwarves may have returned to or stayed in the Iron Hills after the [[Battle of Five Armies]] is unknown.

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In 2941 not long after the death of Smaug, the [[Battle of Five Armies]] took place in the valley of [[Dale]]. Lord Dáin led over five hundred of his warriors, originally sent to aid his cousin King [[Thorin Oakenshield]] who was trapped in Erebor by the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] and [[Northmen]] of [[Esgaroth]], into battle against the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]].

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The battle won but Thorin slain, Dáin became the new [[King under the Mountain]] and [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of the Longbeards]] as Dáin II.<ref name="TA"/><ref name="Durin"/> He relocated to Erebor with many of his people, and reestablished it as Durin's folk's greatest and strongest dwelling in the north. Leaving the Iron Hills to returned to being the primary source of their most important raw material.

Contents

History

Early History

The Hills were mined for thousands of years by the Longbeards, being their primary source for iron above all the rest of their territories.[4] The Dwarf-road of Mirkwood ran northeast to the Hills for the Dwarf-traders that went to and from Khazad-dûm and the Hills.[5]

Third Age

In T.A.1981 the last of the Dwarves living in Khazad-dûm fled from the Balrog who had slain Durin VI and Náin I.[6] Some of those who escaped wandered as far as the Iron Hills and settled there.[4]

Over the next few centuries Grór and his people built great realm, especially after the destruction of Erebor in T.A.2770[6] when the Dragon Smaug scattered the Longbeards who dwelt there. Most of the survivors subsequently went to their kinsmen in the Iron Hills, swelling its numbers.
Before the death of Smaug in T.A.2941,[6] the Dwarven realm in the Iron Hills was the main dwelling place of Durin's folk in the East, and military the strongest realm in Wilderland.

In 2799[6] the final battle of the War of the Dwarves and Orcsoccurred in the Dimrill Dale. The battle was turning into a massive stalemate until fresh reinforcements from the Iron Hills arrived led by Náin.
They cut their way through the ranks of Orcs all the way to the East-gate of Moria, where tragically Náin was slain by Azog in single combat. His son, the young Dáin Ironfoot, however avenged his father by slaying the Orc chieftain, and winning for himself great renown.
With the war over, Dáin led his people home where, after the death of Grór, became the new Lord of the Iron Hills.[7]